Man was left with fractured skull after gang of youths set about him

Apr 1 2010

TWO young thugs have been caged for a vicious assault that left their victim with a fractured skull.

Kenneth Wilson (20) and Paul Riley (18) set about their victim, Steven Willoughby, after he walked past them outside a local takeaway in Bellshill town centre in August last year.

The vicious pair subjected the complainer to a sustained attack. He was taken to hospital following the assault and detained for five days.

This week at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Shiona Waldron sentenced the pair, both from Bellshill, to periods of detention for their attack.

Sheriff Waldron caged Wilson, of Community Place, for 34 months for his part in the serious assault, and imposed a further four months detention for breaching bail conditions.

The total sentence of 38 months will be backdated to October 15 due to time already served in custody by Wilson.

Riley, of Babylon Avenue, was sentenced to 12 months’ detention for his part in the assault.

A third accused, 16-year-old Craig Gaskin of Newarthill, was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and 200 hours’ community service by the sheriff court.

In February at Hamilton Sheriff Court, the three pleaded guilty to carrying out the assault on the victim at Crossgates, Bellshill, on May 25 last year.

While acting with another unknown male, they attacked the man on various occasions on that date by chasing him, repeatedly punching his head and body, causing him to fall to the ground, and repeatedly then punching his head and body to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Wilson also admitted failing to be within his bail address between 7pm and 7am on August 26, having been granted bail by the sheriff court on August 3.

However, all three had their not guilty pleas to a breach of the peace on the same date accepted by the Crown.

Two other co-accused - Stephen Harper (19) and Shaun Murdoch (21), both of Bellshill - also had not their not guilty pleas to breach of the peace and assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement accepted by the Crown and faced no further charges.

Earlier this year, the sheriff court heard how Mr Willoughby was viciously attacked after he passed a gang of youths outside Leo’s carryout shop on Hamilton Road, Bellshill, at around 11pm.

He suffered a depressed fracture to the right side of his skull, and a fractured eye socket during the beating.

He also required 11 stitches, and imprints from feet were visible on his back and ribs as a result.

The victim also spent five days in Monklands Hospital under observation, and was informed that his scarring will be permanent.

At sheriff court this week, Sheriff Waldron acknowledged that Kenneth Wilson had been responsible for the more serious aspects of the assault which took place on Mr Willoughby.

However, despite Riley’s defence lawyer’s assertions that his client merely punched the victim twice, Sheriff Waldron detained the 18-year-old.

She told him that, although his actions had been fairly limited, he nonetheless did not try to distance himself from the repercussions of the attack.

Craig Gaskin, who was 15 at the time of the attack, was given probation by he sheriff due to his age and lack of previous convictions.

The sheriff court also heard that Wilson has a list of previous convictions including drugs charges, assault and a firearms offence.

Riley also has a previous conviction for assault to injury, the court was told.